Bai Fumei in the ’70s Chapter 10
Translated by Serena Love
Proofread by Soupysuspicions
Edited by Ladyhotcomb
Chapter 10
When Zhao Lanxiang returned to her room and saw the stack of money on the table, she paused in the middle of drying her hair.
The dim glow from the kerosene lamp cast a long shadow on her face. She looked at the money and her lips tightened. The family’s poverty was worse than she had imagined. When people can’t even afford enough food, happiness seems like a distant dream. She felt an urge to help alleviate the family’s burdens.
“Grandma, did you get to eat the meat?” He Sanya licked her lips and asked.
The elderly woman held her granddaughter close, her gnarled hand gently patting her small back. “I did.”
The delicious flavor of the stewed pig trotters evoked memories of better days for the old woman, a time before the He family’s decline. Back then, even the household helpers ate well, with more meat than they could finish and more satin silk clothes than they could wear…
Comforted by these memories, the old woman drifted into a peaceful sleep.
......
Early the next morning, Zhao Lanxiang was sent to the cornfield to fertilize the crops. She carried ash from the bottom of the stove and waited for others to dig small pits before shoveling it in.
The corn had already sprouted tall shoots, but the lack of fertilizer was detrimental. Zhao Lanxiang didn’t mind getting dirty or tired, but what she dreaded most were the furry bugs hiding beneath the corn leaves. Every few steps, she would spot a creeping worm in her peripheral vision, a sight more tormenting than working until her hands and feet bleed.
Suddenly, she froze as she noticed a caterpillar on her cuff that had crawled there from who knows where.
“Sister Zhao!”
He Sanya emerged from between the corn stalks, used two sticks to quickly remove the insect from Zhao Lanxiang’s cuff, and placed it in her bamboo tube.
Wiping the cold sweat from her forehead, Zhao Lanxiang asked, “What are you doing here?”
She touched He Sanya’s sweaty head, and the little girl showed her the bamboo tube. It was filled with a writhing mass of insects.
The sight gave Zhao Lanxiang goosebumps, making her skin resemble that of a plucked chicken.
“I’m catching insects to feed the chickens,” He Sanya whispered, her eyes shining with excitement.
She lifted the lid to peek at the insects inside and decided she had collected enough for the day’s feed.
Zhao Lanxiang was aware that He Sanya took care of feeding the chickens at home, and her admiration for the little girl only deepened.
Sister He had brought these chicks home from town when they were nothing more than fluffy balls of feathers, and He Sanya had assumed responsibility for their care. She had a deep affection for these chickens, visiting their coop daily to cuddle and care for them. In fact, each of these chickens was fattened on the bugs she diligently collected.
Every day, Sister He would gather two or three beautifully round eggs. Every three days, she would whip up a bowl of creamy egg custard to nourish their grandmother. The surplus eggs were saved and handed over to her younger brother, who would take them to the supply and marketing cooperative to exchange for much-needed money.
For this poor family, these hens were considered invaluable treasures, and the income generated from selling their eggs was a lifeline. If it weren’t for the regulation limiting each family to three chickens, the hardworking He Sanya would have undoubtedly raised a dozen or more in one go.
He Sanya wiped her mouth and announced, “Big Brother is heading to town today to trade the eggs for money.”
Zhao Lanxiang replied, “Is that so? It’s convenient, as I also have some errands to run in town today.”
Once she finished her morning tasks, she took her leave. Captain Li Dali didn’t object and assigned Zhao Lanxiang’s responsibilities to Zhou Jiazhen. If she wasn’t working, she wouldn’t be paid anyway.
Zhao Lanxiang wasn’t sure if she would run into He Songbai, but when she returned to the He family home, Sister He informed her that he had already left.
Zhao Lanxiang retrieved a ten-yuan bill from her bag, picked up a basket, and ventured out. She decided not to invite Jiazhen this time because she had something significant planned in mind.
Upon arriving in town, she made her way to the black market. She purchased fresh bayberries from a roadside vendor and casually inquired about where to buy food.
The honest vendor’s expression immediately shifted to suspicion, and he quickly waved his hand, saying, “Comrade, you’re asking me, but what would I know?”
Zhao Lanxiang offered an explanation, “My sister-in-law has recently given birth and is struggling to produce enough milk for her baby. My parents wish to provide her with nourishing food.”
The seller removed his hat and studied Zhao Lanxiang carefully. She appeared in an elegant dress, her twin braids hanging over her plaid shirt, and she wore a pair of black leather shoes. Her Mandarin was precise, and her voice was soft and gentle, which gave her an air of education.
Zhao Lanxiang took out some money to buy the rest of his bayberries and said regretfully, “Since I can’t buy eggs or meat, I’ll buy more bayberries to make some snacks for her. I can only afford to spend a little. How much would it cost to buy a pound of grain?”
The honest vendor finally loosened up and pointed Zhao Lanxiang toward a hidden alley.
Following his directions, she found the elusive black market in Qingmiao Town. The market frequently changed locations to avoid police attention. Had it not been for her keen instincts in choosing the right vendor to question, she might have wandered around town all day without finding it.
She haggled skillfully, managing to buy a ten-pound meat ticket for just five yuan, along with some food and sugar tickets. She also picked up a variety of rare spices from another vendor.
Given that it was the 1970s, prices were generally low and state-regulated, so vendors rarely deviated from the set prices. Ten yuan could go a long way. Her father, Zhao, earned that much and still had over 50 yuan left after covering the family’s monthly expenses. It wasn’t that he was stingy; it was just that many items in the city required special tickets to purchase. They often found themselves with leftover money but no tickets, making saving a necessity.
Feeling relieved after securing the meat and food tickets at a bargain, Zhao Lanxiang headed to the grocery store with plans to buy some pig trotters and meat.
As she walked past the supply and marketing cooperative on her way to the grocery store, she noticed He Songbai’s slender figure.
“We can only offer you this much,” the salesperson at the cooperative said, his tone dripping with disdain.
“Look at the size of your eggs. Do they really deserve a price of five and a half cents? Small eggs like yours should only go for five cents.”
Zhao Lanxiang took a quick look at the eggs He Songbai had brought. Each one was round, plump, and meticulously cleaned to remove any chicken feces left on it.
It was clear to anyone with a discerning eye that the salesperson was intentionally making things difficult, likely because he looked down on He Songbai and wanted to embarrass him.
He Songbai, accustomed to such cold treatment, didn’t even bat an eye. Selling eggs was a matter of luck. If the salesperson was in a good mood, you’d get a fair price; if not, the price would be lower.
He Songbai pushed the eggs forward and was about to speak when he suddenly felt himself being pulled back.
Zhao Lanxiang smiled and said, “Elder sister asked me to have a word with you.”
As she spoke, she grabbed the basket of eggs from the counter and, with her other hand, took hold of the corner of his shirt, leading him away.
He Songbai’s thick and sharp brows furrowed, and a cold indifference filled his eyes.
“If you have something to say, say it quickly.”
“I’m going to help you sell these eggs,” Zhao Lanxiang replied.
Angrily, as if he were scolding his unreasonable sister, He Sanya, He Songbai shot back, “Don’t meddle and make trouble. Give me back the eggs.”
Relying on his strength, he tried to snatch the basket back, but Zhao Lanxiang unexpectedly held it tightly against her chest with a bowed head.
She didn’t argue with him, but simply turned and walked away, saying, “That person was rude to you, but you were kind to him. I haven’t offended you much, yet you’re giving me this stinky attitude. Just watch and don’t interfere.”
Zhao Lanxiang took the eggs to a street in the black market and scanned the passing pedestrians.When a woman glanced at the eggs more than once, Zhao Lanxiang waved her over to a secluded corner.
“These eggs are fresh and farm-raised,” she whispered. “They’re large and nutritious. Perfect for new mothers in confinement or the elderly. The prices are cheap and we will not bully you.”
Her voice was soft and clear, her Mandarin distinct from the rough and sloppy speech of the men around her. Her clean and neat appearance also made her more approachable.
“How much for these?”
“Little girl, you have such eggs? Can it be cheaper if we buy more?”
Zhao Lanxiang nodded, and the elder sister bought half of the basket.
Returning to the street, Zhao Lanxiang continued her subtle sales technique, approaching anyone who showed interest in her eggs.
Using this sneaky method, she quickly sold more than thirty eggs. The eggs from the He family were of good quality. Once they were taken out, it was easy for anyone to see.
Finally, she counted the money in her hand—thirty cents for thirty eggs, even after giving a two-cent discount. She handed the full amount to He Songbai.
He had watched silently from the moment she started selling until she sold the last egg. His previously dull eyes now showed a hint of relief.
“You, you...”
He Songbai’s thin lips quivered for a moment, as if he was seeing Zhao Lanxiang in a new light for the first time.
His eyes suddenly narrowed, filled with a fierce intensity. “You can’t do this kind of thing in the future!”
He was thinking of her reputation. The He family might already be looked down upon, but she was a bright and educated young woman who wasn’t lacking in money or food. She shouldn’t tarnish her reputation by committing bad deeds for their sake…
Zhao Lanxiang just smiled. “Who says you get to decide what I can or can’t do?”
Her eyes sparkled warmly, almost blinding him. She walked with a confident grace, exuding a sense of assurance. It was as if she had all the answers and could effortlessly deflect any crude criticisms he might offer.
She was both clever and unreasonable.
He Songbai became terribly silent, and his thin lips turned pale, tightening into a thin line.
Unperturbed, Zhao Lanxiang casually said, “Come on, let’s go buy some meat.”
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